Question

Assertion (A): Carbon shows tetravalency in the compounds.

Reason(R): Atoms attain the nearest inert gas configuration during bonding.

• A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
• B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
• C. A is true and R is false.
• D. A is false and R is true.

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation for Assertion statement:

• The electronic configuration of Carbon ( $C$) is $1{\mathrm{s}}^{2}2{\mathrm{s}}^{2}2{\mathrm{p}}^2$. So, it has four electrons in its valence shell i.e., in the L-shell.
• Accepting or donating four electrons involves a huge amount of energy. So, rather It forms four covalent bonds to fulfill its octet.
• Hence, it shows tetra valency in the compounds.

Explanation for Reason statement:

• Atoms have the tendency to attain the nearest noble gas configuration.
• For example Oxygen ($\mathrm{O}$) has the electronic configuration $1{\mathrm{s}}^{2}2{\mathrm{s}}^{2}2{\mathrm{p}}^4$, so, oxygen can easily accept two electrons to attain the configuration of Neon ($\mathrm{Ne}$) i.e., $1{\mathrm{s}}^{2}2{\mathrm{s}}^{2}2{\mathrm{p}}^6$.
• On the other hand, consider Sodium ($\mathrm{Na}$) which has the electronic configuration $1{\mathrm{s}}^{2}2{\mathrm{s}}^{2}2{\mathrm{p}}^{6}3{\mathrm{s}}^1$.
• So, it will lose one electron to attain the configuration of Neon.
• Another possibility to attain the noble gas configuration is the sharing of electrons as mentioned above in the case of carbon.

Thus, both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.

Hence, the correct option is (A).